Morocco World News with Agencies
Morocco World News with Agencies
Rabat, November 25, 2011
In his first statement two hours after the closing of polling stations, Morocco’ Interior Minister, Taieb Cherkaoui, said that voter turnout in today’s elections reached about 45% at national level, according to information available now.
In a press briefing held in Rabat, Mr. Cherkaoui explained that the elections took place “in a normal context, under a climate of mobilization and a sense of responsibility,” noting that the results election will be announced tomorrow.
Voter turnout stood at 4% at 10 am local time, 11,5% at noon, 24% at 3 pm and 34% at 5 pm. Polling stations opened at 8 am and closed at 7pm local time.
In the last legislative elections held in September 20o7, voter turnout did not exceed 37%, the lowest voter participation in Morocco’s history. In the first legislative elections held after the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, voter turnout reached 51,6 %. During the last legislative held under the rule of the late Hassan II, voter turnout reached 58,3%.
Among the three favorites, the PJD is the only political party that has never participated in any government. The Istiqlal party, which won the 2007 elections, has participated in every government since the independence of Morocco in 1956.
Analysts expect that the PJD will do well in today’s elections. However, the voting system in Morocco does not allow any political parties to have an absolute majority. Even in the event that the PJD comes out as the winner of these elections, it will have to form a coalition with other political parties.
31 parties were competing for the 395 seats in the lower house of parliament, 70 more than during the last election in 2007.
These polls were overseen by 4,000 observers representing international and national bodies.
